Nicki Minaj on Being a Role Model, Acting and Taking Advice from Beyoncé

In 2015, Nicki Minaj opened up like she never had before. She confronted sexism and racism in the music industry head-on, not allowing artists like Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus off the hook. She received three Grammy nominations (Best Rap Performance for "Truffle Butter," Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Only" and Best Rap Album for The Pinkprint) and announced plans for an ABC sitcom about her life. She poses topless for Billboard's latest issue, where she opens up about her politics, delving into acting and being a role model for aspiring female rappers. Read on for the highlights, then read the full interview here.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

On what means the most to her as an artist: "The people's reaction—when I'm on tour, how they scream when a song comes on."

On the ABC TV show about her childhood: "I found one girl who I'm obsessed with who might play me, and someone who could rival her. So I've been coaching them both. I do a beat, let them rap. I do little dances with them. It has been magical. I didn't even know I had it in me, but I love children so much…I narrate this show, like Chris Rock narrates Everybody Hates Chris…My first day, I said to the casting director: "This will not be a clichéd black show."

On taking on acting: "I want to do something very serious. Meryl Streep is one of my favorite artists of all time. She blows me away in just about everything she does…My dream would be to have that type of acting career, where I can do both things believably."

On Hillary Clinton: "I support her as a woman. Am I convinced that she should be the next president? I still want to be open-minded about everyone. Obviously, I identify with her struggles as a woman. I identify with the fact that when she's in that room and there are nothing but men there—there's sometimes something in her that must feel intimidated. But I think that she uses that and turns it into a strength. Because that's what I've always done. And so I love her for sticking it out. She has gone through horrifying things, even within her marriage. She has been brave and weathered the storm. And continued being a boss. That's something that every woman should feel inspired by, no matter if you're voting for her or not."

On Sandra Bland: "This could have been me. I'm a sassy woman. I may have given a little bit of attitude to a police officer. I could have never come home."

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

On moving to LA: "I spoke to Beyoncé about it, because she came out here recently too. She said exactly what I used to say when I first moved here. We just feel happier. She was saying that simple things that would normally feel like a task, they don't [feel that way] out here. She told me it's not bothersome to get up super early and have to take Blue to school, because it looks so beautiful. I'm a New Yorker, but there are times in New York when you wake up and it's, like, a dreary day. I know my London fans can identify with this. When I'm in London or Paris, I think the same thing. Part of the beauty is in the grayness—but it's an acquired taste."

On dating Meek Mill: "I don't know what's going to happen with he and I. I just know right now we are really, really enjoying each other's company. So, shout out to everybody in the world that's just trying to find love or be happy. Everybody should have someone to hold at night. It really, really changes your energy."

On the ring she received from Meek Mill: "He and I are not engaged. But he said he would like to give me three rings before we get married. My birthday's coming up, and he better get the new one, because he got [the first one] for my last birthday. So let's see what happens."

On dating another celebrity: "We actually spoke with Jay Z and Beyoncé about it. After our show at [Brooklyn's] Barclays Center [in October], we had dinner together. They were so giving with advice. I love them so much. It was just a beautiful conversation to have with people we love and we look up to as a couple. They're so strong."

On why she'll release a mixtape: "I have to set an example for female rappers. I'm at the top of that food chain, and it's important to lead by example. And because I came into the game doing mixtapes, I want to make sure women do not forget the importance of that grind, that walk up to the top. You can't get there with a song. Because once that song is no longer hot, you're no longer hot. It's important that you are bigger than your music. Some fans are going to f*ck with me for the rest of my life because they know where I came from. Fans know my struggle. How hungry I was. That I was not settling, I was not giving up. I was on everybody's beat. I was ruthless."

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Harper's BAZAAR participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means Harper's BAZAAR gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites.